Leeds United are keen on signing a new left-back this month and there is a new name to add to the shortlist.
The Whites currently have Junior Firpo and Sam Byram as options on the left side of defence, but both have struggled with injuries across the course of the current campaign.
Firpo missed the vast majority of the first half of the season, while Byram has either limped off or been absent for six of Leeds’ last seven Championship matches.
With that in mind, Daniel Farke acknowledged as early as mid-December that left-back is a position that needs addressing and according to Football Scotland, they are keen on a Rangers stalwart.
They report that Leeds are now hopeful of prising Barisic to England this month, though no decision has yet been made, with Rangers also keen on keeping him at Ibrox.
Leeds target Rangers star Barisic
Barisic is out of contract in the summer and is said to have already received approaches from clubs in France, Italy and Spain with a view to signing a pre-contract agreement.
However, Rangers have also made their move in an attempt to keep him at the club, where he has spent the last five-and-a-half-years of his career, providing 53 assists in 224 appearances.
And despite an impressive career on the whole at Rangers, it has not always been easy for him in Scotland. He received a ‘hounding’ from the Ibrox crowd back in October for his performance in a draw with Aris Limassol in the Europa League.
At the same time, Barisic was part of the side that won the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership title under Steven Gerrard, who labelled him as ‘outstanding’ over the course of that season.
So, although Barisic has had some tough times in Scotland, he has also proved to be an excellent value for money signing at just £2 million, considering the years of service he has given them.
Leeds would be getting an experienced 35-time capped Croatia international if they manage to get a deal over the line, but there is plenty of work to do yet.
Be the first to comment